Annie Cress

Provide executive leadership for compliance, and organizational development initiatives supporting 12 YMCA branches and over 700 employees.

Human Resources Leadership

• Develop workforce strategies that strengthen employee engagement, accountability, wellness and organizational culture.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, corrective actions, and performance management initiatives.
• Develop HR policies, supervisor resources, and organizational standards that promote consistency and legal compliance.
• Guide leadership teams through organizational change while supporting employee engagement and retention.

Risk Management

• Direct association-wide risk management strategy, safety initiatives, and compliance programs.
• Modernized incident reporting and organizational risk processes.
• Lead organizational accreditation efforts, regulatory compliance, and policy implementation.
• Oversee incident reporting, claims management, emergency action planning, and crisis response.
• Collaborate with legal counsel, insurance carriers, and executive leadership to reduce organizational risk.

Leadership Development

• Design and facilitate supervisor and leadership development curriculum.
• Develop onboarding, compliance, and professional development programs.
• Create performance management tools, coaching resources, and supervisor training materials used organization-wide.

Provided executive leadership for branch operations while overseeing Human Resources, financial performance, strategic planning, and community partnerships.

• Directed all HR functions including recruitment, employee development, performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning.
• Led multidisciplinary leadership teams while fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Managed annual operating budgets exceeding $1.2 million.
• Built strategic partnerships with community organizations, local government, and nonprofit partners.
• Led organizational growth while maintaining operational excellence and exceptional member experiences.

Led Human Resources, payroll, accounting, and administrative operations.

• Supervised multiple departments and leadership teams.
• Managed recruiting, onboarding, payroll administration, and employee records.
• Supported employee relations and organizational compliance.
• Administered branch budgets, financial reporting, and business operations.
• Coordinated staff training and professional development initiatives.
• Developed policies and procedures supporting efficient branch operations.